Council offers help to weather recession

Archived press release

Date Published: 22/12/08

Beat the credit crunch with help from AVDC

Aylesbury Vale District Council is reminding local residents and businesses that help and assistance is available to those who are struggling to cope in the current economic downturn.

Leader of the Council, Councillor John Cartwright, said: “The global financial situation is affecting all of us. As a council, we want to do all we can to ease the impact on residents and on local businesses. In some cases, the help we can offer may be limited, but we want to do as much as we can.”

The council recently announced its commitment to pay invoices from small businesses within 10 working days, instead of the current 30 days, wherever possible from 2009. This will help those firms contracted to provide goods or a service to the council to retain a steady cash-flow during these challenging times.

“With the financial climate as it is the most important thing to businesses is cash flow and getting money on time”, said Councillor Cartwright. “That allows employers to meet their obligations to their employees, to Customs and Excise and, most importantly, to their own suppliers. Anything which helps employers get cash in to keep them afloat will be a great help.”

The council is also passing on the government’s 2.5 per cent reduction in VAT to help residents. Among council services that will benefit from the reduction are school holiday activities, building control inspections, community centre bookings and shows at Aylesbury Civic Centre where tickets are not yet on sale.

In addition, the fees charged by the council for local land searches have been reduced from £160 to £99. This fee applies to all standard searches whether residential or commercial.

Other support mechanisms that are being offered by AVDC include:
• Discounted sports, arts and leisure activities to those on a low income and entitled to benefits
• Bus passes providing free bus travel for the over-60s and people with disabilities 
• Advice relating to housing, including mortgage and rent arrears, repossession and homelessness

Councillor Cartwright said it was absolutely essential that people having cash problems should get in touch with the council or other help agencies as soon as possible.

“People who haven't been unemployed for a long time won't understand what benefits are available,” he said. “There is financial help for residents on a low income with council tax and rent. You can find out more with one simple phone call to our benefits team on 01296 585618.”

“Our housing debt advisors can also help prioritise your spending and sort our your finances. Don’t bury your head in the sand – that will only lead to more difficulties and make things worse – you could end up homeless. Call 01296 585168 for help and advice.”

Businesses that want to expand or diversify in the current climate can access help from the council’s economic development team. The team can assist in a number of areas from helping to find new accommodation, to identifying grant opportunities. Phone 01296 585657 for more information.

Councillor Cartwright added: “We can offer a wide range of services that can make a real difference to those who feel they have nowhere else to turn. Our teams are available to help, from cutting fuel bills to saving money on getting about. If we can’t assist then we will direct people or businesses to partner organisations that can.”

The council’s website has information on all of the district council’s services.